Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-13

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some university students want to learn about other subjects in addition to their main subjects. Others believe it is more important to give all their time and attention to studying for a qualification. Discuss both these views and give your opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

 

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Education as well as wider knowledge plays a crucial role in today's era for future development. Perhaps that is why some higher education students believe to gain knowledge of other subjects with their main subject. However, others argue that it is subsantial to give all their dedication and determination to their one field of study. This essay will discuss both views before presenting my opinion.

On the one hand, wider knowledge of different subjects has several benefits. Firstly, studying subjects like cooking or home science in addition with main subject makes students all rounder ,which they can utilise this knowledge in their everyday life. Moreover, having a knowledge of other field adds a plus point to their resume, which consequently improves chances of getting a higher position job. In addition, some students can pursue their hobby through additonal subject. As a result, other subjects would help to become more independent and social, which is very paramount factor for today's living.

On the other hand, studying one subject has its own benefits. To begin with, deep knowledge of one subject helps to be more specific, in which one can act as a master of a particular field. Furthermore, giving all their time and attention to one subject can help to perform better in class. Besides this, more knowledge of one subject could lead to get a top position in particular field in the company.

In my opinion, studying one subject with deep knowledge and experience with

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You address both views, giving reasons for studying additional subjects (everyday usefulness, employability and hobbies) and for focusing on one qualification (specialisation and stronger performance). However, the response is incomplete: the final sentence, “In my opinion, studying one subject with deep knowledge and experience with”, stops mid-thought, so your own position is not actually explained. This leaves a central part of the task unanswered and limits the development of the ideas. The response also falls five words short of the required minimum. To improve, complete the conclusion with a clear opinion and a reason, then support the main points with a specific example, such as how a complementary subject could help in a future career.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay has a recognisable structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and an attempted conclusion. Signposting such as “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “In my opinion” helps readers follow the intended organisation. However, the conclusion is unfinished, which prevents the essay from reaching a complete progression and leaves the writer’s position unclear. Some links between ideas are also mechanical: “Firstly,” “Moreover,” and “In addition” introduce a list rather than showing how the points relate. The phrase “which they can utilise this knowledge” has an unclear reference. Finish the final paragraph and use clearer links that explain cause, contrast or consequence, rather than relying mainly on sequencing expressions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a range of topic-related vocabulary, including “wider knowledge,” “qualification,” “particular field,” and “resume,” and you attempt less common expressions such as “all rounder” and “paramount factor.” This gives you enough vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, although several choices are inaccurate or unnatural and sometimes make the meaning less clear. For example, “a higher position job” and “adds a plus point to their resume” are awkward collocations, while “subsantial” and “additonal” are misspelled. “More paramount” is also not a natural expression. Aim for precise, conventional academic phrasing and check spelling; this will make your ideas sound clearer and more controlled.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including clauses beginning with “which” and “as a result,” and most of the main ideas remain understandable. However, errors in sentence construction and grammatical patterns occur across the response. For instance, “believe to gain knowledge” needs a different verb pattern, and “helps to be more specific, in which one can act as a master” is not constructed clearly. In “other subjects would help to become more independent,” the sentence lacks a clear subject for “become.” There are also punctuation and spacing problems, such as the space before the comma in “all rounder ,which.” Practise accurate verb patterns and make sure each clause has a clear subject and logical connection.

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